Toronto Is Now Letting Patios Stay Open All Winter & You Can Stay Warm With Heaters
Outdoor dining isn't going anywhere just yet. Toronto winter patios are officially staying open throughout the chilly season and we might not freeze our butts off after all.
The City Council approved an extension of Mayor John Tory's winter patio program on Monday in an effort to support local restaurants this winter.
The initiative will continue to allow some restaurants to occupy sidewalk space and extend their outdoor patios.
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Winter is coming and we need to support restaurants by allowing winter cafes right now.
Mayor John Tory
"I will continue to encourage staff to come up with new and creative ways in which we can continue to support local restaurant operators while recognizing that we must maintain important safety and accessibility requirements," he added.
Portable heaters will be allowed to be placed within sidewalk cafés and on private patios to ensure comfortable dining.
At the moment, temporary tent structures remained banned on sidewalks, which means residents will still have to deal with the elements.
However, temporary structures are allowed on private property.
A rapid increase in COVID-19 cases forced Toronto back into a modified stage two of Ontario's reopening plan last month.
The step backward banned restaurants in the city from allowing indoor dining.
*Cover photo used for illustrative purposes only.